Details of Kilifi school fires emerge


Written By Jane Njeri Thuo

Details have started to emerge of how students hatched a plot to burn their dormitories in last week’s unrest in Kilifi County.The discontent saw the burning down of three dormitories in three schools: Chumani, Dzitsoni and Lutsangani secondary.

At Dzitsoni, sources said the dormitory was set ablaze by non-resident male students who were assisted by some girls.

Planning took two days and students contributed Sh5,000 for petrol and to pay the executor.

“An hour before the dorm was burnt, the two girls (planners) refused to go for preps and instead wandered in the school. A teacher on night duty saw them and tried to approach them,” said the source. The girls, however managed to dodge the teacher.

Even as the details of the arson attacks unravel, two more schools were closed over the weekend after students went on the rampage and destroyed property.

Students at Msabaha Victory High School brought down a perimeter wall, switched of electricity and destroyed power supply to the institution.

Deputy principal, Mr Ernest Saisi, said the riot started some minutes before midnight.

Kilifi OCPD Joshua ole Leina said that the boys jumped over the fence when police arrived.

“The girls were contained and taken to a dormitory as the boys jumped over the fence and ran away,” said Mr Leina.

At Jaribuni secondary where students returned after an earlier arson attack, two lockers were burnt before they were sent home again.

“The same evening students returned, is the same night they again rioted and burnt two lockers,” said Ganze OCPD Alexander Makau.

Reference : www.nation.co.ke


Dormitories,Schools